NRA All-Access Video: Origins of the NRA

by
  • NRA Staff
posted on November 17, 2015
Videos News Extras Rifles Historical Rifles
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Happy Birthday, NRA! Founded on Nov. 17, 1871, the NRA has been the worldwide leader in firearm education and training. If you have ever wondered—or have been asked—how and why the NRA was formed, this video from NRA All Access is an excellent primer, taking you back to its Civil War roots up to its current 5 million+ strong membership base.














In this article
history of the nra origin, nra all access, nra founding, nra history

Related Stories

More like this from around the NRA

Revolvers Top 2600 in Hands of the “Babe” | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

Revolvers Top 2600 in Hands of the “Babe” | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

NRA All-Access Video: Origins of the NRA | An Official Journal Of The NRA

NRA All-Access Video: Origins of the NRA | An Official Journal Of The NRA

NRA Blog | Watch a Preview of Tonight's NRA All Access

NRA Blog | Watch a Preview of Tonight's NRA All Access

NRA Blog | Jessie Duff takes home 3rd National Single Stack Title

NRA Blog | Jessie Duff takes home 3rd National Single Stack Title

Latest

More
Icarry Kimber 1911 Ds Warrior 1
Icarry Kimber 1911 Ds Warrior 1

I Carry: Kimber 1911 DS Warrior in a PHLster Floodlight 2 Holster

In our latest "I Carry" video, we take a closer look at Kimber's latest double-stack, 2011-style handgun, the 1911 DS Warrior, and pair it with a SureFire X300 Ultra weapon light and a PHLster holster.

Reviews, News

The Armed Citizen® July 3, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Armed Citizen, News
W2161 SI 9791 W2161 SI 9791

Truly American Apparel: NAA's Magnum Mini Belt Buckles

In 2026, folks are celebrating all things American. And is there anything more American than a gun belt buckle?

Reviews, News
001 NAAMBB Cover 01 001 NAAMBB Cover 01

CVA Recalls All Paramount Muzzleloading Rifles

CVA has issued a safety recall notice for all CVA Paramount muzzleloading rifles, including Paramount, Paramount HTR, Paramount Pro, and Paramount Pro V2. The bulletin pertains to all production years of these models.

News, Guns
Safety Recall Notice Safety Recall Notice

I Have This Old Gun: Colt Detective Special

One of the iconic revolvers of the early 20th century is Colt's compact Detective Special, which became popular on the commercial market and was featured widely in film noir from the 1930s until the 1950s. But the road to the Detective Special wasn't the typical route for a new firearm.

News, ARTV
Colt Detective Special Ihtog 1 Colt Detective Special Ihtog 1

The Real Deal: Mauser's M98 Das Original

In a world of modularity and strict cost-cutting, fine wood and machined steel firearms like the Mauser 98 are disappearing. The Mauser company is making sure the design lives on with the M98 Das Original.

News, Guns
Mauser Das Original 01 Mauser Das Original 01
More Latest Stories

Interests

More
American Rifleman Television
I Have This Old Gun: Colt Detective Special | An Official Journal Of The NRA

I Have This Old Gun: Colt Detective Special | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Colt's Manufacturing, Colt Detective Special, Revolvers
ARTV
I Have This Old Gun
I Have This Old Gun: Colt Detective Special | An Official Journal Of The NRA

I Have This Old Gun: Colt Detective Special | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Colt's Manufacturing, Colt Detective Special, Revolvers
I Have This Old Gun
Armed Citizen
The Armed Citizen® July 3, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Armed Citizen® July 3, 2026 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Armed Citizen, The Armed Citizen Blog, The Armed Citizen Online
Armed Citizen
American Rifleman News
Savage Arms Helps Raise $1 Million for Youth Shooting Sports Through Support of MidwayUSA Foundation | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Savage Arms Helps Raise $1 Million for Youth Shooting Sports Through Support of MidwayUSA Foundation | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Savage Arms, Conservation, Charity
News
American Rifleman Reviews
Range Review: Tippmann Arms M4-22 RCR-26 .22 LR Rifle | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Range Review: Tippmann Arms M4-22 RCR-26 .22 LR Rifle | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Tippmann Arms M4-22, Tippmann Arms M4-22 Review, RCR-26
Reviews
NRA Gun of the Week
Gun of the Week: Taylor's & Co. TC73 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Gun of the Week: Taylor's & Co. TC73 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Taylor's & Co., Taylor’s & Co. TC73, Lever-Actions
NRA Gun of the Week
New For 2026
Remington We the People 250th Anniversary Ammo Ships to Retailers | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

Remington We the People 250th Anniversary Ammo Ships to Retailers | An NRA Shooting Sports Journal

remington, we the people ammo, we the people
New For 2026
The Keefe Report
The Keefe Report: The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

The Keefe Report: The Incomparable, Inimitable Phil Schreier—1962-2025 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Philip Schreier, The Keefe Report, Mark Keefe
The Keefe Report
More Interests


Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE (IT'S FREE!)

GET IN TOUCH

CONNECT WITH US

SECTIONS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

NRA MEMBERSHIP

EXPLORE MORE NRA PUBLICATIONS

NRA Publications
American Hunter
Shooting Illustrated
America's 1st Freedom
NRA Women
NRA Family
Shooting Sports USA
Hunters Leadership Forum
NRA Blog
Online And Print Nra Publications

Take Your NRA Magazine With You!

NRA Logo On Blue

Join The NRA And Our Growing Community

AR Footer NRA Explore 01

Discover Everything That The NRA Has To Offer

AR Footer Friends 02

Attend A Friends Of NRA Event Near You

Privacy Policy
Contact Us
Corporate Ethics
Warnings
FAQ
© Copyright 2026 National Rifle Association